This archive report was first published on 11 May 2021.
On Monday, Busia DCIO, Benard Wamalwa, displayed three pieces of ivory in his office, urging local residents to volunteer information on suspected individuals dealing in the illegal trade.
Police in Busia have arrested a Senior Security Officer from Uganda in possession of three pieces of animal trophies worth Kshs 3 million street value, according to a tip-off from members of the public.
‘We got information that some Ugandan Nationals were on a mission to traffic ivory into Kenya with the aim of selling,’ said Busia DCIO, Benard Wamalwa.
Wamalwa stated that police officers liaised with the informer and lured the suspects to a Mosque in Busia town, where they were arrested.
‘The suspects arrived in two motorbikes and we managed to arrest one as the other one fled,’ he said, adding that the arrested suspect is a lieutenant working in the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) in Uganda.
He further stated that the suspect has been taken to court and will be charged with being in possession of wildlife trophies contrary to Section 95 of the Wildlife Conservation Management Act of 2013.
Efforts are still underway to arrest the other culprits who escaped on another motorcycle with a sack of ivory.
